Fixed blade carry knife Questions

[CP]

I’ve been looking for some options for a fixed blade, every-day carry knife and I’m a bit overwhelmed to say the least. 

Legality:
From what I’ve found this varies by city and to be legal in Seattle (I’m assuming this is the most restrictive), blade length needs to be 3.5” or less.  And then, state wide, I can’t carry it “Furtively, with intent to conceal”.  Whatever that means. 
I want to carry it on the belt, horizontally.  Does that mean if my shirt tail comes untucked, I’m a criminal?
Other, legal carry options?

Steel?
SK-5, CPM-3V, 420HC, SV30, 1095, …?  which one and why? 
San Mai, worth the extra money? 

Other considerations:
Full tang, needed or not?  I’m guessing, yes.
Handguard, I don’t want my hand slipping over the blade. 
Sheath, not sure what I’m looking for in a sheath.
What I'm I overlooking?

I’m probably over thinking this, but any help narrowing down the search would be appreciated.

[jdb]

I have a couple knives with high end steel and I have to say I don’t see much advantage over d2 or 1095. I’ve been looking at a fixed edc as well. I’m thinking about an esee camplore 2.5

[Fidelk]

I guess you have to navigate the definition of "concealed". I see guys with fixed blades on their belt, very visible. I guess the visible pocket clip on a folder keeps them legal to carry. A bit odd, for those already carrying a concealed pistol.

[fly-by]

I have the ESEE camp lore PR-4. I like it a lot but at 4.2" I find too big for EDC.
 
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/RCPR4BO/esee-knives-esee-pr4-bo-patrick-rollins-camp-lore-pr4-fixed-1095-black-stonewashed-plain-kephart-blade-micarta-handles-leather-sheath

The leather sheath is just OK.  Would recommend this instead:
https://www.armatuscarry.com/store/p268/ESEE_Camp_Lore_PR4_-_Architect_Sheath.html

I carry this one a lot more:
https://www.bokerusa.com/j-bite-02bo046

Something in the 3-3.5" range is probably ideal.

[jrebel]

Unless you make it an issue, no cop is gonna enforce a conceal knife.   Example….don’t try and sneak it in a courtroom or other city buildings where weapons are not allowed.   If it’s on your belt and a shirt or jacket covers it….no one will ever no the difference abd it will never be an issue. 

As for which knife, I think that is a personal fit question.   Go and touch a few and see what fits in your hand nicely.   I would think 3.5 inch blade would be plenty for a EDC knife.

[storyteller]

Spokane County
VERIFY: Are knives longer than 4 inches legal in Washington?
A man was stabbed to death on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Court documents revealed the suspect, Andre Conway, used a "large machete knife" to stab 35-year-old Lance Ogel. Many people on Reddit wondered if it's even legal to carry knives longer than four inches.

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Author: Amanda Roley
Published: 10/25/2018 4:21:52 PM
Updated: 5:38 PM PDT October 25, 2018
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Questions still linger after a deadly stabbing outside the 7-Eleven in downtown Spokane.

A man was stabbed to death on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Court documents revealed the suspect, Andre Conway, allegedly used a "large machete knife" to stab 35-year-old Lance Ogel.

Many people on Reddit wondered whether it's even legal to carry knives longer than four inches.

Washington law allows people to carry large knives, unless they intend to hurt someone.

RCW (9.41.270) says it's unlawful for anyone to carry any firearm, dagger, sword, or any other weapon that can cause bodily harm with the intent to intimidate others or threatens their safety. In other words, the length of the knife is irrelevant. If you have the intent to cause harm, it's illegal.

Spokane Police Officer John O'Brien said that law applies to the city as well.

"There are people that maybe call in because they see a subject with a sword maybe on their hip or in their backpack. That in itself is not a crime and we will not stop and talk to that person. However, if that person was involved in an incident involved in area, they matched the description and that weapon may have been displayed, we will stop and talk to that person to find out what their story is," he said.

To clarify, it is legal to carry a knife that's longer than four inches. It becomes illegal though to carry any knife or weapon when the intent is to intimidate or cause bodily harm.


Sometimes concealed carry pistol is just easier.  IMO

[CP]

I’m looking at the ESEE Izula-II or the Schrade SCHF16.  They’re cheap, I might just order both of them.

[CP]

Amazon has lost my ESEE but the Schrade showed up and I'm impressed.  Not my dream knife but it's much better than I expected for $24.

I know it's common but I'm not familiar with the Chinese 9Cr18MoV steel.  But it's solid and razor sharp out of the box, fit and finish looks good.  I'll see if holds up. 

[Alchase]

For EDC I have a SOG Flash II, blackout tanto.

For fixed blade, not hunting, a SOG KIKU FX - BLACKOUT MICARTA. Also have a SOG SEAL, and SOG SEAL Pup, but the KIKU FX is my go to fix blade.

When hunting, attached to pack, a Browning Drop Point I have had for years. Great knife and really holds a great edge.